Project Title: Comprehensive Computational Analysis of Genetic and Regulatory Differences Between Individuals With African and European Ancestries Across Four Brain Regions
Position: Assistant Professor
Institution: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Funding NIH Institute/Center: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
Grant ID: R00MD016964
Hailing from a large extended family in Indianapolis, Indiana, Kynon Jade Benjamin, PhD, is proud to be the first doctor in his family. With his mother’s support, he earned his GED, paving the way for his enrollment at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis. There, a work-study position in a neuroscience research laboratory ignited his passion for scientific inquiry. Dr. Benjamin’s predoctoral research focused on drug delivery, development, and bioinformatics, with a particular emphasis on Angelman syndrome – a rare neurodevelopmental disorder. His postdoctoral fellowship at the Lieber Institute for Brain Development and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine expanded his expertise to computational analysis for complex neurological disorders like schizophrenia of large-scale brain data, including postmortem tissue and brain organoids. As an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Dr. Benjamin applies computational genetics to advance therapeutics for underserved populations. His research investigates how genetic ancestry shapes the brain’s molecular landscape. By analyzing postmortem brain tissue, brain organoids, and iPSC-derived glial cells, he identifies the impact of genetic ancestry on complex brain traits. This integrated approach illuminates the intricate relationship between genetic and environmental factors in neurological disorders. Dr. Benjamin’s personal and professional experiences underscore the importance of diversity and inclusion. He is dedicated to mentoring and advocating for underrepresented minorities, fostering a more equitable scientific community.